Public TV station KIXE converts to digital-only signal in August

North State public television viewers may need to take action soon to continue receiving their favorite programs after KIXE enters the digital age this summer and shuts off the traditional analog signal it has used since the station went on the air in 1964.

The transition to digital television, or DTV, is scheduled to take place over a two-week period beginning Aug. 18. During that period, viewers in different communities will experience intermittent outages while KIXE’s engineers convert the transmitter and translators that deliver KIXE’s signal to parts of 10 counties.

Once that work is completed, the free over-the-air television—the way many viewers now receive their TV signal—will be broadcast as a digital or DTV signal only.

Viewers can expect crystal clear picture and sound—and be able to receive additional free broadcast TV channels, including KIXE’s current program schedule, programs in high definition (HDTV), and CREATE, a nifty channel packed with how-to programs.

However, KIXE viewers whose older TV sets rely on “rabbit ears” or an outside antenna will not receive a signal at all unless they have purchased and installed a DTV converter box that sits on top of the TV set.

The box converts the new digital signal back to an analog signal that older TV sets recognize.

Subscribers to cable or satellite services like Charter, Comcast, Dish Network or DirectTV do not need to worry about the switch to DTV.

Similarly, newer TV sets (manufactured in March 2007 or later), will have a built-in digital tuner and are ready to receive DTV broadcasts. Viewers should consult their owner’s manual or their retailer to make sure.

To help with the transition to DTV, the federal government has established a coupon program to help with the purchase of the DTV converter boxes, which retail for about $60 each.

Each household will be eligible for two $40 coupons, each good toward the purchase of one converter box.

Apply for the coupons by visiting www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-388-2009. You will also receive a list of area retailers who accept the coupons.